Skip to main content

Boys and Young Men of Color Vision Statement

“To build and invest in pathways to success that inspire and transform personal identities so that boys of color reach their full potential”

Overall Goal: Improving the Outcomes for Boys and Young Men of Color 

Since the launch of the YMCA of the USA initiative in 2018, the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina with 25 other Ys in 26 cities and 16 states have been working to improve outcomes and impact more Boys and Young Men of Color in the communities we serve across the Y movement. We have increased our reach and are now in 54 cities and 25 states. In partnership with YUSA and other Ys, we are particularly focused on reducing school truancy and chronic absenteeism, improving graduation rates and helping them establish career pathways to ensure their economic mobility.

What We are Working on at the Local Level

In accordance with our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Vision Statement, the YMCA of NWNC will improve the well-being of Boys and Young Men of Color through intentional Youth Development programming with a focus on inspiring and transforming lives and setting the pathway for successful adulthood within the communities we serve. 

Our Four Areas of Focus

BYMOC areas of focus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initiatives from Our Work

Community Support

Our Teen Referral Membership Initiative - REACHING OUR POTENTIAL: A new YMCA of NWNC initiative that gives youth in crisis a free YMCA membership and access to other opportunities at the Y.

Click here to learn more

Advocacy

Advocating for our Boys and Young Men of Color by partnering with local schools and other organizations to meet and network with minority students. Some topics of discussion:

  • What is your personal brand?
  • Building confidence and personal strengths
  • And so much more!

Click here to view other Teen Programs and Career Opportunities in our Association, including Youth and Government and Black and Latino Achievers.

If you'd like more information about BYMOC, please contact Adam Cardwell at a.cardwell@ymcanwnc.org or Jennifer Cleary at j.cleary@ymcanwnc.org.

BYMOC committee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jennifer Cleary, Chair
Senior Director of College and Career Programs

Adam Cardwell, Past Chair and Adviser  
Associate Executive Director

Daulton Bynum
Associate Sports Director 

Chris Chunn
Executive Director of Education and Swim

Richard V. Daniels, Sr.
Vice President of Community Engagement and Executive Director

Darryl Head
President and Chief Executive Officer

Raquel Joyner
Interim Director of Member Experience

Jessica Long
Vice President of People & Culture

Jason Lagesse
Grant and Evaluation Director

James McCorkle
Sports Director

Jenna Patton
Director of Member Experience

Jamie Post, Recorder 
District Administrative Assistant

Jennifer Simmons
21st Century Program Director

Local Partners

Action4Equity

Alexander County Schools

Davie County Schools

Forsyth County District Attorney Office

Forsyth County Sheriffs Department

Hispanic League

Iredell Statesville Schools

Latino Community Services

My Brothers Second Chance

My Brother’s and Sister’s Keeper of Winston-Salem

Stokes County Schools

Wilkes County Schools

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

Winston-Salem Police Department

Winston-Salem State University

Yadkin County Schools

 

National Partners

Algorithm- Hello Insights 

Brookings Institute 

Cities United 

Clarity Research 

Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color 

Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys 

Harvard’s Opportunity Insights 

My Brother’s Keeper Alliance – The Obama Foundation

National Park Service 

Public Schools

The Equity Innovation Center

The National League of Cities

Two African American boys

Work at the National Level

Click here to learn more about the Boys and Young Men of Color work at the national level. 

The Call to Action

By 2024, our goal is to collaborate with national and local organizations to serve more than 10,000 Boys and Young Men of Color throughout 100 cities, focusing on reducing school truancy and chronic absenteeism, improving graduation rates and helping them establish career pathways to ensure their economic mobility. Because the Y has a presence in 10,000 communities across the U.S., we are on the ground, we are proximate and we can utilize that proximity to increase economic well-being for neighborhoods and cities by improving outcomes for Boys and Young Men of Color.

Young men

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the YMCA

The Y is a place where common ground thrives and people of all walks of life can belong. We approach diversity and inclusion through the Christian principles of love, compassion, kindness, and respect. The YMCA of Northwest North Carolina will promote and exemplify togetherness. We value, encourage, and nurture the contributions that each person makes to our increasingly diverse association and the community we serve.

GIVE TODAY

Advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for All at the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina

Three male Latino Achievers

Our Mission: "Helping all people reach their God-given potential in spirit, mind and body."